I took care of my first dog (a bichon frise) from the age of 8 years old. He is still alive and well at 16 :) I also have raised 3 sweet, loving, non-aggressive cats from young ages after they were abandoned. At this moment in time, my fiancée and I are raising our 6 month old german shepherd who is smart, very well trained already, and kind to everyone she meets. I love animals!